Services

SCC announces up to £1million to fight flooding

A FLOOD funding boost of £500,000 has been allocated for river dredging by Somerset County Council.

It brings the total the council is planning to offer to fight flooding to £1m and follows a mini flood summit held on January 15.

As reported last week, the council has already offered £300,000 for dredging, and £200,000 for local flood prevention schemes.

It is calling for Government and the Environment Agency to find the further £3m needed to enable a comprehensive dredging operation for the Rivers Parrett and Tone.

Cannington Councillor Ian Dyer, whose village has experience some of the most severe flooding, said the extra funding was “a good start”.

He told the Mercury: “We have been doing a lot of flood prevention work ourselves and although we haven’t cured it, we’ve made a hell of a difference. Even though the water did get very high, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

“But the River Parrett needs dredging – that’s a fact. I’m on the Drainage Board and we commissioned a study that revealed the river can hold around 35% less in capacity than in the 1950s.

“It used to be dredged regularly about 20 years ago, but because it hasn’t been maintained, dredging will be a bigger job.

“We need proper maintenance and action now.”

SCC held a crisis meeting with Dan Rogerson, Minister for Water and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency.

Council leader John Osman said: “The Minister listened to our case and saw for himself the extent of the flooding.

“He has promised to take up our case and we have agreed to a further meeting in Whitehall to continue to fight for significant investment.

“He agrees that Somerset has had two years of severe flooding, which puts it ahead of any other claims for help and support.”

Comments

lordgodalmighty
4:52pm Thu 16 Jan 14

wouldnt it make sense when building on flood plains to require builders to leave the groundfloor empty ? its not as if nobody knows whether land is liable to flooding - the environment agency makes its maps easilty available to anyone that can be bothered to look for them. i would have thought that as a first world country, building regs would cover these sorts of basic requirements.

wouldnt it make sense when building on flood plains to require builders to leave the groundfloor empty ? its not as if nobody knows whether land is liable to flooding - the environment agency makes its maps easilty available to anyone that can be bothered to look for them. i would have thought that as a first world country, building regs would cover these sorts of basic requirements.lordgodalmighty

wouldnt it make sense when building on flood plains to require builders to leave the groundfloor empty ? its not as if nobody knows whether land is liable to flooding - the environment agency makes its maps easilty available to anyone that can be bothered to look for them. i would have thought that as a first world country, building regs would cover these sorts of basic requirements.

Score: 2

Blue Owl
12:15am Fri 17 Jan 14

In reply, you will already see my suggestion for Houses to be built on Stilts, with a Car Port under, electrics at a height of say 2-3 Metres, this would make sentence, even Scissor Action Car Ramps that Vehicles can be raised above potential Flood depths.
Also, perhaps small inflatables within the properties, to enable normal life to continue.
There also needs to be some collection and Storage of rain water from the Gutters, to recycle for in house recycling, for Bathing , washing Machines Etc. Therefore only needing Drinking quality water for Drinking........ We are a long way off, this. As the powers that be are not responding Pro-Activly, it Is as a result of flooding of Homes Residences and Business, prevention, cost, more but saves in the Medium / Long Term.........
David L Preece.

In reply, you will already see my suggestion for Houses to be built on Stilts, with a Car Port under, electrics at a height of say 2-3 Metres, this would make sentence, even Scissor Action Car Ramps that Vehicles can be raised above potential Flood depths.
Also, perhaps small inflatables within the properties, to enable normal life to continue.
There also needs to be some collection and Storage of rain water from the Gutters, to recycle for in house recycling, for Bathing , washing Machines Etc. Therefore only needing Drinking quality water for Drinking........ We are a long way off, this. As the powers that be are not responding Pro-Activly, it Is as a result of flooding of Homes Residences and Business, prevention, cost, more but saves in the Medium / Long Term.........
David L Preece.Blue Owl

In reply, you will already see my suggestion for Houses to be built on Stilts, with a Car Port under, electrics at a height of say 2-3 Metres, this would make sentence, even Scissor Action Car Ramps that Vehicles can be raised above potential Flood depths.
Also, perhaps small inflatables within the properties, to enable normal life to continue.
There also needs to be some collection and Storage of rain water from the Gutters, to recycle for in house recycling, for Bathing , washing Machines Etc. Therefore only needing Drinking quality water for Drinking........ We are a long way off, this. As the powers that be are not responding Pro-Activly, it Is as a result of flooding of Homes Residences and Business, prevention, cost, more but saves in the Medium / Long Term.........
David L Preece.

Score: 0

twinkles
3:24pm Fri 17 Jan 14

Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!

Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!!

Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!
Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!!twinkles

Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!

Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!!

Score: 0

Baldbloke
6:22pm Fri 17 Jan 14

twinkles wrote…

Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!

Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!!

I wouldn't trust a builder to install a li-lo - sharp intake of breath through pursed lips and an extortionate quote to follow ;-)

[quote][p][bold]twinkles[/bold] wrote:
Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!
Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!![/p][/quote]I wouldn't trust a builder to install a li-lo - sharp intake of breath through pursed lips and an extortionate quote to follow ;-)Baldbloke

twinkles wrote…

Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!

Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!!

I wouldn't trust a builder to install a li-lo - sharp intake of breath through pursed lips and an extortionate quote to follow ;-)

Score: 0

Blue Owl
7:20pm Fri 17 Jan 14

twinkles wrote…

Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!

Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!!

Twinkles, you make throw away ad lib comments, attempting to rubbish any subject upon which I put serious thought to.
And yet, you want to be taken seriously, good job your High and Dry, and not affected as the residents whose homes have been Flooded.
It is obvious to me that you are Pally with Cllr Smedley, us you insist on juvenile Bird references......
This forum is for all to take part in with observations, so why do you not add intellectual content, or are you not capable off to do.
Blue-Owl
David L Preece

[quote][p][bold]twinkles[/bold] wrote:
Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!
Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!![/p][/quote]Twinkles, you make throw away ad lib comments, attempting to rubbish any subject upon which I put serious thought to.
And yet, you want to be taken seriously, good job your High and Dry, and not affected as the residents whose homes have been Flooded.
It is obvious to me that you are Pally with Cllr Smedley, us you insist on juvenile Bird references......
This forum is for all to take part in with observations, so why do you not add intellectual content, or are you not capable off to do.
Blue-Owl
David L PreeceBlue Owl

twinkles wrote…

Oh, of course, a rain butt and a li-lo would have saved all this mess! Silly old builders, why didn't they think of this!

Cuckoo, cuckoo.... Cuckoo cuckoo!!

Twinkles, you make throw away ad lib comments, attempting to rubbish any subject upon which I put serious thought to.
And yet, you want to be taken seriously, good job your High and Dry, and not affected as the residents whose homes have been Flooded.
It is obvious to me that you are Pally with Cllr Smedley, us you insist on juvenile Bird references......
This forum is for all to take part in with observations, so why do you not add intellectual content, or are you not capable off to do.
Blue-Owl
David L Preece

Score: -6

the voice of common sense
9:19pm Fri 17 Jan 14

This probably means that the tone will be dredged as a priority and the Parrett will get the use of any money left over after taunton has been made safe.

They could also use the money earmarked for the Colley lane relief road to do a really good job for tauntons' flood defences

This probably means that the tone will be dredged as a priority and the Parrett will get the use of any money left over after taunton has been made safe.
They could also use the money earmarked for the Colley lane relief road to do a really good job for tauntons' flood defencesthe voice of common sense

This probably means that the tone will be dredged as a priority and the Parrett will get the use of any money left over after taunton has been made safe.

They could also use the money earmarked for the Colley lane relief road to do a really good job for tauntons' flood defences

Score: 0

teslafanatic
10:34pm Fri 17 Jan 14

Surely it would make sense to stop building homes on flood plains, But the planners say that we need more homes and there is no other land suitable to build on, But then again there are plenty of places around here that could be built on, The old launderette site down Taunton road and the old Celophane site ( excuse my spelling if it's wrong ) are viable options.
I do think that the river should be dredged But not just the Parrett, all rivers and years ago the drains were cleaned every other month but now they're lucky if they get done once a year, Yes the roads are swept by a road sweeper but why aren't the drains cleaned.

Surely it would make sense to stop building homes on flood plains, But the planners say that we need more homes and there is no other land suitable to build on, But then again there are plenty of places around here that could be built on, The old launderette site down Taunton road and the old Celophane site ( excuse my spelling if it's wrong ) are viable options.
I do think that the river should be dredged But not just the Parrett, all rivers and years ago the drains were cleaned every other month but now they're lucky if they get done once a year, Yes the roads are swept by a road sweeper but why aren't the drains cleaned.teslafanatic

Surely it would make sense to stop building homes on flood plains, But the planners say that we need more homes and there is no other land suitable to build on, But then again there are plenty of places around here that could be built on, The old launderette site down Taunton road and the old Celophane site ( excuse my spelling if it's wrong ) are viable options.
I do think that the river should be dredged But not just the Parrett, all rivers and years ago the drains were cleaned every other month but now they're lucky if they get done once a year, Yes the roads are swept by a road sweeper but why aren't the drains cleaned.

Score: 2

awayswing
9:15am Sat 18 Jan 14

teslafanatic wrote…

Surely it would make sense to stop building homes on flood plains, But the planners say that we need more homes and there is no other land suitable to build on, But then again there are plenty of places around here that could be built on, The old launderette site down Taunton road and the old Celophane site ( excuse my spelling if it's wrong ) are viable options.
I do think that the river should be dredged But not just the Parrett, all rivers and years ago the drains were cleaned every other month but now they're lucky if they get done once a year, Yes the roads are swept by a road sweeper but why aren't the drains cleaned.

I doubt that the drains will be cleared more regularly as SCC has just announced another council tax freeze.Last night on the TV there was a piece on the local news about a senior officer of SCC being on protracted leave owing to a row with the council leader;with this sort of nonsense going on sensible ideas regarding more regular drain clearing etc. will probably take second place to in house squabbles.

[quote][p][bold]teslafanatic[/bold] wrote:
Surely it would make sense to stop building homes on flood plains, But the planners say that we need more homes and there is no other land suitable to build on, But then again there are plenty of places around here that could be built on, The old launderette site down Taunton road and the old Celophane site ( excuse my spelling if it's wrong ) are viable options.
I do think that the river should be dredged But not just the Parrett, all rivers and years ago the drains were cleaned every other month but now they're lucky if they get done once a year, Yes the roads are swept by a road sweeper but why aren't the drains cleaned.[/p][/quote]I doubt that the drains will be cleared more regularly as SCC has just announced another council tax freeze.Last night on the TV there was a piece on the local news about a senior officer of SCC being on protracted leave owing to a row with the council leader;with this sort of nonsense going on sensible ideas regarding more regular drain clearing etc. will probably take second place to in house squabbles.awayswing

teslafanatic wrote…

Surely it would make sense to stop building homes on flood plains, But the planners say that we need more homes and there is no other land suitable to build on, But then again there are plenty of places around here that could be built on, The old launderette site down Taunton road and the old Celophane site ( excuse my spelling if it's wrong ) are viable options.
I do think that the river should be dredged But not just the Parrett, all rivers and years ago the drains were cleaned every other month but now they're lucky if they get done once a year, Yes the roads are swept by a road sweeper but why aren't the drains cleaned.

I doubt that the drains will be cleared more regularly as SCC has just announced another council tax freeze.Last night on the TV there was a piece on the local news about a senior officer of SCC being on protracted leave owing to a row with the council leader;with this sort of nonsense going on sensible ideas regarding more regular drain clearing etc. will probably take second place to in house squabbles.

Score: 1

Blue Owl
6:51pm Sat 18 Jan 14

I agree with all of the sensible contributors of the above Posts, most of which, I have addressed over the Years, but still need to be kept on the Front Burners, until the SCC And the E Agency take them on Board, and act on them.
Builders do not, and are not allowed Planning Permission on actual Flood Plains any more, Planning Commitees take very seriously the Flood Plains, as No Build Area 's.
However, the problem is not, now this, it is that Brown And Green Field Sites are being built on, with the once permeable surfaces, now unable to take the excess rain through to the Perma layers, which are already above the now Water Tables...... Hence saturated Ground, which can not hold th is excess water, and runs off into brooks ,streams, already @ full capacity.
Modern houses must capture the rainwater falling on the roofs, collect and store for uses within the home, washing- up, Clothes washing, bathing, in fact every thing except drinking and Cooking, this is done already in Sweden, Germany, on new Developements .
We in Bridgwater, have expanded with the necessary new housing that is needed, the houses on The Morrisons Site through from Bristol Rd from the Willow Man to the Cellophane, Bath Rd Bridge Op our Rugby Club @ College Way. This site will eventually have 2000 homes on it, the first Phase was £11 Million pounds of social Housing, built for, Yarlington Homes a Yeovil Based Company, with Government Grants that my Fellow Cllr Paul Herbert Conservative, Portfolio Holder Bid for and achieved the Funding for. 4 yrs ago.
I personally am passionate about the Town of Bridgwater, I grew up in, born in
I get quite Pxxxxed off when others knock our Town. They , can either help to make it better, or live elsewhere, but to moan ,Whine, and criticise those who try and make change, then They curry no favour in my eyes.......
It's so easy to Complain, Criticise, knit pick, Moan, oh yes they are good @ that !!!
So my message, is Put Up Or Shut Up !!!!!!!
But, leave us who are at least trying to effect change to do so!!!!
Glass Houses and throwing Stones Comes to Mind !!!!!!
Blue -Owl
David L Preece

I agree with all of the sensible contributors of the above Posts, most of which, I have addressed over the Years, but still need to be kept on the Front Burners, until the SCC And the E Agency take them on Board, and act on them.
Builders do not, and are not allowed Planning Permission on actual Flood Plains any more, Planning Commitees take very seriously the Flood Plains, as No Build Area 's.
However, the problem is not, now this, it is that Brown And Green Field Sites are being built on, with the once permeable surfaces, now unable to take the excess rain through to the Perma layers, which are already above the now Water Tables...... Hence saturated Ground, which can not hold th is excess water, and runs off into brooks ,streams, already @ full capacity.
Modern houses must capture the rainwater falling on the roofs, collect and store for uses within the home, washing- up, Clothes washing, bathing, in fact every thing except drinking and Cooking, this is done already in Sweden, Germany, on new Developements .
We in Bridgwater, have expanded with the necessary new housing that is needed, the houses on The Morrisons Site through from Bristol Rd from the Willow Man to the Cellophane, Bath Rd Bridge Op our Rugby Club @ College Way. This site will eventually have 2000 homes on it, the first Phase was £11 Million pounds of social Housing, built for, Yarlington Homes a Yeovil Based Company, with Government Grants that my Fellow Cllr Paul Herbert Conservative, Portfolio Holder Bid for and achieved the Funding for. 4 yrs ago.
I personally am passionate about the Town of Bridgwater, I grew up in, born in
I get quite Pxxxxed off when others knock our Town. They , can either help to make it better, or live elsewhere, but to moan ,Whine, and criticise those who try and make change, then They curry no favour in my eyes.......
It's so easy to Complain, Criticise, knit pick, Moan, oh yes they are good @ that !!!
So my message, is Put Up Or Shut Up !!!!!!!
But, leave us who are at least trying to effect change to do so!!!!
Glass Houses and throwing Stones Comes to Mind !!!!!!
Blue -Owl
David L PreeceBlue Owl

I agree with all of the sensible contributors of the above Posts, most of which, I have addressed over the Years, but still need to be kept on the Front Burners, until the SCC And the E Agency take them on Board, and act on them.
Builders do not, and are not allowed Planning Permission on actual Flood Plains any more, Planning Commitees take very seriously the Flood Plains, as No Build Area 's.
However, the problem is not, now this, it is that Brown And Green Field Sites are being built on, with the once permeable surfaces, now unable to take the excess rain through to the Perma layers, which are already above the now Water Tables...... Hence saturated Ground, which can not hold th is excess water, and runs off into brooks ,streams, already @ full capacity.
Modern houses must capture the rainwater falling on the roofs, collect and store for uses within the home, washing- up, Clothes washing, bathing, in fact every thing except drinking and Cooking, this is done already in Sweden, Germany, on new Developements .
We in Bridgwater, have expanded with the necessary new housing that is needed, the houses on The Morrisons Site through from Bristol Rd from the Willow Man to the Cellophane, Bath Rd Bridge Op our Rugby Club @ College Way. This site will eventually have 2000 homes on it, the first Phase was £11 Million pounds of social Housing, built for, Yarlington Homes a Yeovil Based Company, with Government Grants that my Fellow Cllr Paul Herbert Conservative, Portfolio Holder Bid for and achieved the Funding for. 4 yrs ago.
I personally am passionate about the Town of Bridgwater, I grew up in, born in
I get quite Pxxxxed off when others knock our Town. They , can either help to make it better, or live elsewhere, but to moan ,Whine, and criticise those who try and make change, then They curry no favour in my eyes.......
It's so easy to Complain, Criticise, knit pick, Moan, oh yes they are good @ that !!!
So my message, is Put Up Or Shut Up !!!!!!!
But, leave us who are at least trying to effect change to do so!!!!
Glass Houses and throwing Stones Comes to Mind !!!!!!
Blue -Owl
David L Preece

Score: -4

twinkles
11:41am Mon 20 Jan 14

Mister Preece
You're not wrong, you're just not capable of joined-up-thinking yet.
All of your concerns may be valid, your suggestions for solutions may very well be exactly what the developers or the decsion makers at the planning offices need to see. Yet to continue to post long and waffling replies here is just making your points lessa nd less valid.
This isn't the correct place for you to voice your concerns. You say put up or shut up, well, why then are you not still a councillor? I might have thought if you were on the inside you might be able to carry your cause to the right ears.

Mister Preece
You're not wrong, you're just not capable of joined-up-thinking yet.
All of your concerns may be valid, your suggestions for solutions may very well be exactly what the developers or the decsion makers at the planning offices need to see. Yet to continue to post long and waffling replies here is just making your points lessa nd less valid.
This isn't the correct place for you to voice your concerns. You say put up or shut up, well, why then are you not still a councillor? I might have thought if you were on the inside you might be able to carry your cause to the right ears.twinkles

Mister Preece
You're not wrong, you're just not capable of joined-up-thinking yet.
All of your concerns may be valid, your suggestions for solutions may very well be exactly what the developers or the decsion makers at the planning offices need to see. Yet to continue to post long and waffling replies here is just making your points lessa nd less valid.
This isn't the correct place for you to voice your concerns. You say put up or shut up, well, why then are you not still a councillor? I might have thought if you were on the inside you might be able to carry your cause to the right ears.

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